Friday, August 17, 2007

Bruce Rounds has signed a deal with First Act to endorse their new Delia (semi-hollow body) guitar. Listen for the new axe at live shows and on future recordings.

First Act is a well-known maker of student instruments, and is now moving into the professional/high-end guitar market. Bruce joins a number of well-known First Act endorsers, including David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, Larry McCray, Rusty Anderson (Paul McCartney), Henry and Jo Jo Garza (Los Lonely Boys), Rick Neilsen of Cheap Trick, Paul Westerberg of The Replacements, Tommy Byrnes (Billy Joel), and many others.

Earlier this year, bassist Joel Thomas signed an agreement to endorse the uniquely elegant, hand-crafted, Barker Vertical Bass. The Barker Bass is a real eye-opener (it's a very unique and attractive instrument), but the live sound is incredible. Check out Joel's Barker at live shows and listen for it on future recordings with Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars.

Musicians that may be interested in either First Act guitars or the Barker Bass should see Bruce or Joel at an upcoming show; they'd be happy to tell you all about their new instruments and the companies that made them!

Thursday, August 09, 2007

I know many of you are reading this blog, because you tell me so... But getting you to participate has been like pulling teeth, aye? So I'm trying a new tactic-- controversy. Well, maybe not too contoversial for some of you, and maybe old news for a lot of you, but here goes:

I took my oldest son to see Spider-Man 3 the other night... Yeah, I know it's a little late in the season, but we usually wait for the video release, so he was still ahead of the curve (we still haven't seen Rise of the Silver Surfer). Anyway, as an old Marvel comics and specifically Spider-Man fan, and after seeing the first two (pretty decent) movies, I was extremely underwhelmed and unimpressed. This everything-but-the-kitchen-sink waste of a good roll of film or two was truly bad cinema. The special effects were great, but that is the most positive thing I can say about it. The acting was sub-par on almost all accounts; other than Thomas Haden Church, who somehow was able to squeeze some pathos and depth out of a lifeless script in his portrayal of The Sandman. This film had no idea of what it really wanted to be-- at various turns it attempted to be a serious rendition of the ostensive story, a comedy, a relationship drama, and an epic adventure; unfortunately, none of those concepts were developed enough to be successful in any of those areas. As an additional albatross around the neck of the producers and director Sam Raimi, the movie was full of little incongruous annoyances for true Spider-Man fans (for instance, after ignoring Gwen Stacy for the first two films, using many of the newer comic book reinventions of Spidey's early years as source material, bringing her in as a two-bit sideshow character in this movie was simply wrong... What's next?The Jackal making Mary Jane clones?). For the first 40 minutes or so, I actually thought the movie might be safe for my younger children, then the obligatory "ratings-creep" content began to appear, apparently to "spice things up a bit." There is far too much back-story info that is assumed or glossed-over, too many continuity issues, and character development (beyond cartoonish stereotypes) is almost non-existent. The movie and its director over-reach, in an attempt to be "all things to all people," and we as an audience suffer for it; we suffer horribly. Perhaps even more than all of the poor people that Black Adam took his wrath out on in the very recent "World War III." Did I mention that I didn't like Spider-Man 3 much? Who knew your humble songster and blog-host was such a geeky-fanboy? (Quite a few people, actually).

The gauntlet has been thrown, bring it on...

Etta James is supposed to be back on the road on August 23rd... Thoughts and prayers are with you, darlin'...

Last Saturday's gig at St. Christopher's Summerfest was lots of fun-- Great audience, good food, and excellent weather. Paul Fadale (Bobby Millitello & RPM, Colleen Williams) subbed with us on drums. Great job, Paul! Thanks to everyone at St. Chris, and we hope to see you again next year.

Last night was a great time out in Attica. We'd like to thank the folks for a warm welcome...

A new date has been added for August-- Saturday, August 25th at Finnan's in Lockport.

Thursday, August 02, 2007

Had the chance to run sound and stage-manage Gateway GospelFest 2007 in Williamsville on Thursday night. It was a great night of fun, music, and ministry, and the talent was really outtasight... Big props to Marc Scibilia (all the way from Nashville, bringing us that Bob Dylan/Mark Cohen/Billy Joel/Keith Green Gospel-thang), Tina Williams (all the way from Buffalo!), True Bethel Men's Choir, poetess extraordinaire Toni Benjamin, Carlos and Julius Spencer (ChoSon), Minister Stephen Kulu, and all of the rest of the talent that put on so much more than a show... Also, our M.C. par excellence, Mr. Al Wood of WBLK 93.7 FM.

Has anybody heard anything new on Etta James? I haven't yet...

Don't forget this weekend (Saturday night) at St. Christopher's lawn fete with Your Mighty No-Stars. Also, next week Wednesday, the 8th in Attica, N.Y., Friday the 10th of August back at Double-Diamond in Ellicottville, then the Ascension Church lawn fete in North Tonawanda (Saturday the 11th). The Lewiston Blue Monday show on the 20th, our second "Wild On The Water" SPCA cruise on Sunday, August 26th, and the Hamburg Summer Concert Series on Wednesday the 29th to finish out the month.

Can Summer be more than half over?!?!??? Awwwwww...

Stay-tuned (right here and at the home website) for some BIG news coming in about a week.